Multi-bit PSFCH Resource Allocation for Sidelink Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting feedback via multiple bit physical sidelink feedback channels (PSFCH), which can impact network performance by reducing throughput.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves techniques for acknowledging multiple sidelink transmissions using a single, multi-bit PSFCH, where a receiving UE determines a resource set for transmitting feedback based on the sidelink transmissions and transmits the feedback using this resource set.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple single-bit PSFCH transmissions are used to acknowledge multiple sidelink transmissions, then feedback reliability is improved, but network throughput is reduced and resource utilization is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple single-bit feedback transmissions into a single multi-bit PSFCH transmission. The receiving UE aggregates HARQ-ACK information for multiple sidelink transmissions and transmits them together through one multi-bit feedback channel, merging what would otherwise be separate feedback events into a unified transmission that maintains reliability while improving throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-bit PSFCH is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it can acknowledge multiple different sidelink transmissions (PSSCHs) from different transmitting UEs or the same transmitting UE, replacing the need for multiple separate single-bit feedback channels and enabling a single channel to handle diverse feedback requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple single-bit PSFCH transmissions are used to acknowledge multiple sidelink transmissions, then feedback completeness is improved, but resource utilization is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback completenessVSAvoidresource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple feedback transmissions into a single multi-bit PSFCH resource, combining what would be separate resource allocations into one unified resource. This consolidation maintains complete feedback coverage while reducing the total number of resources required for feedback transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a single multi-bit PSFCH is used to acknowledge multiple sidelink transmissions, then resource utilization is improved, but feedback transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidfeedback transmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the multi-bit feedback information into individual HARQ-ACK bits, each corresponding to a specific sidelink transmission. This segmentation allows the receiving UE to systematically organize and transmit feedback for each received transmission separately within the unified multi-bit channel, reducing the complexity of managing multiple separate transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mapping mechanism that connects sidelink transmissions to PSFCH resources through resource indication values (RIVs). This intermediary layer simplifies the relationship between multiple transmissions and the single feedback channel by providing a systematic mapping rule that reduces transmission complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4245001B1Multiple bit feedback channel
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4245001B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4245001B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4245001B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques and apparatus for a resource pool configuration for multiple bits physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) are described. An example technique includes receiving a plurality of transmissions from a user equipment (UE) on a plurality of sidelink subchannels. At least one resource set for transmitting feedback corresponding to the plurality of transmissions is determined, based on at least one of the plurality of transmissions. Feedback corresponding to the plurality of transmissions is transmitted using the at least one resource set. Another example technique includes sending a plurality of transmissions to a UE on a plurality of sidelink subchannels and monitoring for feedback corresponding to the plurality of transmissions, based on a codebook size associated with the feedback.